Which is the best setup for grip??

[NoHachi]

@Oldskewltoy:
Well..those factors are just from my own experience.
50% driver is just way to little. I ran up to 20 second faster laptimes in our 100hp, crap suspensioned heavy ass volo compared to some people in their fully tuned impreza STi's. The difference between a poor and very good driver (not me) is even bigger..probably up to a minute on a 2 minute course. So driver influence is HUGE, not a mere 50%

Tip I heard on the miata forums: If the car is not performing the way it should: first tighten the nut behind the wheel

If you then look at the rest of the performance envelope: Tires will help you corner everywhere, help your braking and help you put down power. (brake pads -at least for road racing - belong right alongside them...not for autoX though). On slicks the volvo keeps up with much better handling cars. After the driver, its the single largest influence.

A decent suspension setup only helps you in the max.G corners....a lot smaller difference then the tires make. This is assuming the presence of a normal stock suspension setup to begin with. After the car is on slicks, it doesn't matter much what you add..a bit of power, better suspension..anything will lower your laptimes, but nothing close to the drop you saw when mounting a racing driver (lol) or slicks. They'll add funfactor though.

Obviously a working car helps...so if your starting point is a non working car (25 year old shocks, leaking engine etc), obviously that needs sorting first.